I stop feeding the birds for three weeks Aug/September (we usually take our holiday early Sept) and a few times a year we give the feeders a good scrub and a soak in Milton and then make sure they're properly dry before hanging them up again.
Seems to work ... fingers crossed.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
RSPB recommend cleaning/disinfecting every week or 2 weeks. It is passed through the birds' saliva and feeders are sources because of multiple birds using them. Drives me crazy when I see people with multiple feeders who don't clean them regularly (some are so bad you can definitely tel). It's worse than not feeding them. In the wild, without feeders, you don't get the concentration of birds in a small place so it doesn't spread so rapidly. I have 2 feeders and only hang one at a time to make it easier to clean regularly. Bird baths also need regular (weekly or biweekly) cleaning/disinfecting.
Gosh Watery, I am one of those culpritts - I think I will have to start a routine of cleaning the feeders as well as feeding the birds.
I must say since the cat has been in quarantine (neighbours) our bird population has soared. We will have to be more careful when he is off the stay indoors enforcement.
You have a valid point regarding birds feeding in the wild as opposed to using our feeders. Are we doing them any favours - I do hope so, it's costing us a fortune!
I shouldn't have worded it so strongly. But I would encourage a regular cleaning routine, even if it means fewer feeders. It's obvious you care for wild life.
Don't worry Watery - I think reading this article concerning the disease will be a wake up call for cleanliness for many a gardener around here. After all, I clean the hedgehog saucer every night, so why not do the same for the birds?
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I stop feeding the birds for three weeks Aug/September (we usually take our holiday early Sept) and a few times a year we give the feeders a good scrub and a soak in Milton and then make sure they're properly dry before hanging them up again.
Seems to work ... fingers crossed.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
RSPB recommend cleaning/disinfecting every week or 2 weeks. It is passed through the birds' saliva and feeders are sources because of multiple birds using them. Drives me crazy when I see people with multiple feeders who don't clean them regularly (some are so bad you can definitely tel). It's worse than not feeding them. In the wild, without feeders, you don't get the concentration of birds in a small place so it doesn't spread so rapidly. I have 2 feeders and only hang one at a time to make it easier to clean regularly. Bird baths also need regular (weekly or biweekly) cleaning/disinfecting.
Gosh Watery, I am one of those culpritts - I think I will have to start a routine of cleaning the feeders as well as feeding the birds.
I must say since the cat has been in quarantine (neighbours) our bird population has soared. We will have to be more careful when he is off the stay indoors enforcement.
You have a valid point regarding birds feeding in the wild as opposed to using our feeders. Are we doing them any favours - I do hope so, it's costing us a fortune!
I shouldn't have worded it so strongly. But I would encourage a regular cleaning routine, even if it means fewer feeders. It's obvious you care for wild life.
Don't worry Watery - I think reading this article concerning the disease will be a wake up call for cleanliness for many a gardener around here. After all, I clean the hedgehog saucer every night, so why not do the same for the birds?